“Fellow Daoist, you may not know,” Ye Guixu explained, “Soul-Breaking Cliff is ravaged by astral winds, and yin fiend energy seeps into the bones. Even an ordinary Golden Core Realm cultivator would struggle to endure it. At the very least, they would lose half their life.”
Su Yanran gently tugged at Li Qingxuan’s sleeve, her beautiful eyes showing a trace of reluctance. “Husband, Liu Yueji is still my master after all. Let it go this time. I didn’t really suffer any loss…”
Li Qingxuan sighed inwardly. He reached out and rubbed her soft hair, a doting smile appearing on his face. “You’re just too kind.”
Did they really think he had never read novels?
Letting a tiger return to the mountain?
Was he supposed to wait for those two to come back stronger and seek revenge?
In the cultivation world, the strong prey on the weak. Since they had already torn their faces apart, he absolutely could not leave future trouble behind.
Li Qingxuan made up his mind to head to Soul-Breaking Cliff later and finish those two off. On the surface, however, he put on a helpless expression. “For my wife’s sake, I’ll let it go this time.”
“But… if there’s a next time, I will personally take their lives.”
Ye Guixu let out a long breath of relief. “Rest assured, Fellow Daoist. I will strictly discipline them.”
“Men.”
“Take those two scoundrels away and immediately enforce sect rules!”
Several law enforcement disciples stepped forward and dragged the limp Liu siblings out.
“Supreme Elder, spare us!”
“I know I was wrong!”
Liu Yueji continued crying and begging for mercy, while Liu Wuya’s face was ashen. He knew better than anyone how terrifying Soul-Breaking Cliff was.
Astral winds there cut like blades all year round, and yin fiend energy gnawed at the bones. Even a Golden Core Realm cultivator would find it hard to endure a full year.
After the two were taken away, Ye Guixu smiled and invited, “Fellow Daoist Li, today’s matter was Azure Cloud Sect’s fault. How about this? Tonight I’ll host a banquet as an apology. What do you think?”
Li Qingxuan’s lips curved slightly as he took a sip of spiritual wine. “Since Supreme Elder Ye is so sincere, I shall accept your hospitality.”
Night fell, and the grand hall of Azure Cloud Sect was brightly lit.
Elders from various peaks gathered together, raising their wine cups to toast Li Qingxuan and curry favor.
A white-bearded Elder chuckled flatteringly. “Fellow Daoist Li achieved such cultivation at such a young age. Truly a heaven-blessed genius.”
Seeing the atmosphere was right, Ye Guixu stood and declared loudly, “Today’s matter was indeed Azure Cloud Sect’s fault in wronging Su Yanran.”
“To express our apology, I have decided to compensate Su Yanran with one Profound Tier Top-Grade Cultivation Method, 1,000 low-grade spirit stones, and one High-Grade Profound Tier artifact.”
Su Yanran was stunned.
These Elders, who were usually aloof and high above, were all trying to please her cheap husband. Even the Supreme Elder was offering such valuable treasures as compensation!
A Profound Tier Top-Grade Cultivation Method was something only Elders were qualified to cultivate.
“Profound Tier Top-Grade Cultivation Method?” Li Qingxuan played with his wine cup and let out a laugh. “My wife cultivates an Earth Tier Cultivation Method. What use do we have for such trash?”
The entire hall erupted in shock.
After a moment, they felt it made sense.
Of course.
Her husband was a Golden Core Realm Expert. How could he possibly lack an Earth Tier Cultivation Method?
“That… was my oversight,” Ye Guixu said awkwardly, coughing lightly before changing the topic. “By the way, Fellow Daoist Li, have you joined any sect?”
“Supreme Elder Ye, you may as well speak plainly,” Li Qingxuan replied calmly.
“Very well.” Ye Guixu straightened his expression. “I wish to invite Fellow Daoist Li to serve as a Supreme Elder of Azure Cloud Sect.”
“As long as you agree, you may freely access everything in our Treasure Pavilion and Cultivation Method Pavilion. Your status will be equal to mine.”
The Elders inhaled sharply.
Li Qingxuan was a Golden Core Realm Expert with immense strength.
They knew Ye Guixu wanted to recruit him, but offering the position of Supreme Elder right away was excessive.
Li Qingxuan felt delighted inwardly, but feigned reluctance. “I don’t like being bound by rules… but since my wife is here… fine.”
“However, let me make this clear. I won’t handle sect affairs, and I don’t want to be bothered. Of course, if the sect faces danger, I will act.”
Ye Guixu was overjoyed. “No problem! Then it’s settled—”
“Wait!”
A cold shout interrupted him.
An elderly man and woman entered together. The white-haired man wore a gray robe, his eyes sharp as lightning. The stern old woman leaned on a blackwood staff, her expression grim.
They stood side by side, faint spiritual energy flickering around them, their pressure overwhelming.
They were the other two Supreme Elders of Azure Cloud Sect, Zhao Mingxiao and Sun Hanyue.
Zhao Mingxiao asked in a deep voice, “Ye Guixu, why didn’t you discuss the appointment of a Supreme Elder with us?”
Ye Guixu narrowed his eyes and smiled faintly. “Elder Zhao, Elder Sun, didn’t the two of you say you no longer concern yourselves with sect matters?”
“This concerns the rise and fall of the sect!” Sun Hanyue snorted coldly. “A brat who still smells of milk becoming an ordinary Elder is already flattering him. Supreme Elder? Delusional!”
“Indeed!” Zhao Mingxiao stroked his beard. “Our sect has stood for a thousand years. Every Supreme Elder has been a figure of great virtue and prestige. If just anyone can become a Supreme Elder, how will we convince the masses?”
Ye Guixu remained calm and said lightly, “Fellow Daoist Li is no mere brat. He is a genuine Golden Core Realm Expert.”
“Golden Core Realm?”
The two were momentarily stunned and looked Li Qingxuan up and down. Sun Hanyue smiled faintly. “At this age, reaching the Golden Core Realm is indeed impressive.”
“However, that alone is not enough to qualify as Supreme Elder.”
“I’m not qualified? Then are you two mere 6th stage Golden Core Realm cultivators qualified?” Li Qingxuan leaned back in his chair with arms crossed, speaking indifferently.
“You brat, what did you say? You dare question our strength?”
“What do you mean by mere 6th stage Golden Core Realm? Do you know how vast the gap between each stage of the Golden Core Realm is?”
The two Supreme Elders’ expressions darkened as they shouted angrily.
“Enough. Stop arguing.” Ye Guixu frowned. “Since you object, then we’ll open the Mirror Trial.”
“If Fellow Daoist Li passes the Mirror Trial, you two should have nothing to say.”
Zhao Mingxiao and Sun Hanyue exchanged a glance and sneered. “If he truly passes, we will naturally be convinced.”
Ye Guixu looked at Li Qingxuan. “Fellow Daoist Li, what do you think…”
“Too troublesome.”
Li Qingxuan waved his hand lazily, a mocking curve on his lips. “At the end of the day, you two are just jealous that I’m young and handsome and can stand on equal footing with you.”
“Since you two can decide whether I become a Supreme Elder, then let’s fight.”
“If I beat you, you’ll shut up, won’t you?”
A sharp hiss spread through the hall.
Was Li Qingxuan insane?
He actually dared to challenge these two long-renowned Supreme Elders?
After reaching the Golden Core Realm, each minor stage differed vastly.
These two were at the 6th stage Golden Core Realm, peak mid-stage. They were only one step away from late-stage Golden Core.
Even if Li Qingxuan were at the 2nd or 3rd stage Golden Core Realm, he would not stand a chance against them.
“Arrogant!” Zhao Mingxiao laughed angrily. “A mere junior dares challenge us?”
Sun Hanyue sneered repeatedly. “You really think you’re someone special? Each stage of the Golden Core Realm is worlds apart. You think you’re worthy to fight us?”
“So much nonsense.”
Li Qingxuan walked calmly to the center of the hall and looked at them indifferently.
“Are you coming one by one, or together?”
“I suggest you come together. It’ll be faster. Otherwise, the tea my wife poured for me will grow cold.”